Fenerbahce Ready To Cash In On Crystal Palace Target: Why The Eagles Must Win The Race

Turkey's Ozan Tufan celebrates after scoring a goal during the World Cup 2018 football qualification match between Turkey and Ukraine on October 6, 2016 at Konya arena stadium in Konya. / AFP / STRINGER (Photo credit should read STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images)

According to a recent report by Turkish news outlet Milliyet, Super Lig side Fenerbahce are said to be ready to cash in on their midfield ace Ozan Tufan this summer, with Premier League clubs including Crystal Palace claimed to be interested in the playmaker’s services.

The report suggests that Southampton and Everton will join Crystal Palace in the battle for the midfielder’s signature and that they will have to dish out a fee in the region of €12m.

Although the Turkish Super Lig outfit were initially said to be wanting his release clause, known to be in the region of £17m, they seem ready to take a much lower valuation for the player. Given the club’s current financial situation, added to the COVID-19 pandemic that’s brought the entire world to a standstill, it isn’t overly surprising to see Fenerbahce drive down the price to move their man on at the earliest possible opportunity.

What Is Crystal Palace’s Current Midfield Situation?

The Eagles had a strong start to the campaign, but the best word to describe their term would have to be ‘inconsistent’. Despite boasting supremely talented players like Max Meyer and Wilfried Zaha in the front-line, Roy Hodgson’s side have struggled with creativity in the middle of the park. Luka Milivojevic remains the Eagles’ only creative source in the middle, and often deployed as the holding midfielder; there’s only so much that the Serbian international can do from that position.

MUNICH, GERMANY – JULY 31: Ozan Tufan of Fenerbache tackles Lucas Vazquez of Real Madrid during the Audi cup 2019 3rd place match between Real Madrid and Fenerbahce at Allianz Arena on July 31, 2019 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Alternatively, Roy Hodgson’s primary options in the middle include James McCarthy, James McArthur and Jeffrey Schlupp. While the namesake duo is good with the ball at their feet, finding killer passes is just not what their skill-set is built around. Moreover, none of the Eagles’ midfield players have the physical requirements to flourish in the Premier League either. Jeffrey Schlupp, for all the good work he did at the start of the season, remains inconsistent within the side as well.

Why The Eagles Must Go For Ozan Tufan This Summer?

Tufan is a 25-year-old Turkish international who has already earned just under fifty caps for his country. Having spent most of his professional playing career at Fenerbahce, the midfielder has gone on to become one of the most sought-after names in the entire Turkish League. Adept at sitting in front of the two centre-halves and offering protection, the former Bursaspor man’s major selling point would be the fact that he’s known for his ability to pick out eye-of-the-needle forward passes.

Having featured in 25 appearances for the Turkish club this season, the 25-year-old has gone on to pick up six assists and three goals in the league. The midfielder’s exploits have made him a regular in the first-team, and acquiring Tufan for the aforementioned price could turn out to be quite the coup by any of the interested Premier League clubs. There’s no denying the Turk’s unmistakable quality in the middle of the park, and that’s why the Eagles will do well to acquire him in the summer, ahead of the likes of Everton and Southampton.

Nikhil has been an avid Chelsea fan for as long as the concept of time has existed and rumours say that he even bleeds blue.

Having lived in the UK for 3 years, Nikhil is said to have an excellent understanding of the atmosphere surrounding the English game. His role model is the greatest manager of all time - Jose Mourinho.

Nikhil has been an avid Chelsea fan for as long as the concept of time has existed and rumours say that he even bleeds blue.
Having lived in the UK for 3 years, Nikhil is said to have an excellent understanding of the atmosphere surrounding the English game. His role model is the greatest manager of all time - Jose Mourinho.

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